GUILTY FL - Girl, 3, beaten to death by male babysitter, 14, Jacksonville, 16 Aug 2019 *Arrest*

[imstilla.grandma]

A 14-year-old Florida boy allegedly beat a 3-year-old girl to death so she would stop crying, WJXT-TV reports.

Authorities in Jacksonville on Friday arrested Johnathan Godwin on a warrant for murder and aggravated child abuse.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the killing occurred on August 16, when Godwin was left alone to babysit the girl and two other kids.

Godwin reportedly became upset with the girl because she was crying, so he allegedly hit her repeatedly on her head, chest, legs and back using his fist and a belt.
Babysitter beats 3-year-old to death because she was crying: Police

Twitter

An investigation later revealed that Godwin, who was arrested Friday, had a history of “abusing and burning another small child,” according to police.
https://nypost.com/2019/08/30/florida-teen-murdered-toddler-he-was-babysitting-over-her-crying-cops/

 

[Niner]

Guess we won't hear too much since Godwin is a juvenile. Just tried to find him in the court site, but nothing.

Following...

 

[PayrollNerd]

I thought there was a thread for this already.

ETA: may just be similar to another case I’m remembering.

 

[gsleuth]

A 14-year-old Florida boy allegedly beat a 3-year-old girl to death so she would stop crying, WJXT-TV reports.

Authorities in Jacksonville on Friday arrested Johnathan Godwin on a warrant for murder and aggravated child abuse.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the killing occurred on August 16, when Godwin was left alone to babysit the girl and two other kids.

Godwin reportedly became upset with the girl because she was crying, so he allegedly hit her repeatedly on her head, chest, legs and back using his fist and a belt.
Babysitter beats 3-year-old to death because she was crying: Police

Twitter

An investigation later revealed that Godwin, who was arrested Friday, had a history of “abusing and burning another small child,” according to police.
https://nypost.com/2019/08/30/florida-teen-murdered-toddler-he-was-babysitting-over-her-crying-cops/

Tragic..he should never have been left alone to look after 3 young children.
''He had been “left in charge to babysit” her and two other small children on Aug. 16, according to police.''

“He’s just a child himself.”

 

[Niner]

Jacksonville boy to be charged as adult in death of 3-year-old girl he was babysitting


A 14-year-old Jacksonville boy will be charged as an adult in the August 16 death of a 3-year-old girl he was babysitting.

Johnathan Godwin is charged with second degree murder and aggravated child abuse and remains in a juvenile detention facility by court order.
[.....]
JSO investigators said Godwin had a history of abusing and burning another small child.
[.....]
According to a filing formalized this week, the State Attorney’s Office wants Goodwin charged as an adult, saying the public interest requires that adult sanctions be imposed. The decision to prosecute a juvenile as an adult is solely the decision of prosecutors.

 

[Niner]

Dockets:
Line /
Document Count Effective
Entered Description Pages Image
D1 1 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 INFORMATION FILED S782.04(2) MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE 3
Available

2 2 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 INFORMATION FILED S827.03(1)(A) AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE

3
D3 -- 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 CAPIAS ORDERED & ISSUED 2

4
D4 -- 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 CERTIFICATION OF FILING DIRECT INFO ON JUVENILE 1
Available

5
D5 -- 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 RECEIPT FOR WARRANT 1

6 -- 10/10/2019
10/10/2019 CONTROL NUMBER 1586474 eWarrant
7
D7 -- 10/15/2019
10/16/2019 COURT ORDER TO HOLD DEFENDANT IN JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY 3

8 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 APPEARANCE DATE 10/16/2019 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

9 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 JUDGE BORELLO, MARK

10 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 ASST. STATE ATTY. COOPER, JOEL C JR

11 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 ATTY. FOR DEF. SOPP, TERESA JO

12 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 DEFENDANT PRESENT IN JAIL

13 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 DEF. W/READING OF INFO & PLEAD NOT GUILTY

14 1 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

15 2 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

16 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 APPEARANCE DATE 11/06/2019 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

17 -- 10/16/2019
10/16/2019 **SET FOR APPEARANCE DATE TO GENERATE J & S**

18
D18 -- 10/16/2019
10/17/2019 NOTICE OF DISCOVERY & SPECIFIC DEMAND FOR INFORMATION 2

19
D19 -- 10/17/2019
10/17/2019 MOTION FOR STATEMENT OF PARTICULARS 1

20
D20 -- 10/17/2019
10/17/2019 STATE'S DISCOVERY EXHIBIT AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY 4


Court Events:
Date Time Type Location Courtroom Cancelled
10/16/2019 9:00 AM APPEARANCE DATE 3rd Floor 306

11/6/20199:00 AM APPEARANCE DATE 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[borndem]

Well, we've lost another little child, another bright little spark whose glow was snuffed out. A three-year-old little girl. An empty chair at the Thanksgiving table. Tears and prayers for her hurting family.

And the one who is charged with her death, if tried and convicted, may well spend many years in prison, and who knoze how that may change him.
Just dammit.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, November 6th:
*Appearance Date (@ 9am ET) - FL – 3 year old girl (Aug. 16, 2019, Jacksonville) – Johnathan Jerome Godwin (14) arrested (10/14/19), charged (10/10/19) & arraigned (10/16/19) with 2nd degree murder & aggravated child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held in juvenile detention facility by court order.
Accused of repeatedly hitting the girl in her chest, back, legs and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to get her to stop crying. He was babysitting her & 2 other kids. Had a history of “abusing & burning another small child. Cops said he admitted to the abuse and also confessed to being involved in the little girl’s death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office could not immediately comment on whether Godwin’s mother would be facing criminal charges.
10/16/19 Update: Arraigned. Will be charged as adult. Will remain in the juvenile detention facility by court order. Next Appearance date on 11/6.

 

[Niner]

11/6/2019 9:00 AM APPEARANCE DATE 3rd Floor 306

12/3/2019 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, December 3rd:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL – 3 year old girl (Aug. 16, 2019, Jacksonville) – *Johnathan Jerome Godwin (14) arrested (10/14/19), charged (10/10/19) & arraigned (10/16/19) with 2nd degree felony murder & felony aggravated child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held in juvenile detention facility by court order.
Accused of repeatedly hitting the girl in her chest, back, legs and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to get her to stop crying. He was babysitting her & 2 other kids. Had a history of abusing & burning another small child. Cops said he admitted to the abuse and also confessed to being involved in the little girl’s death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office could not immediately comment on whether Godwin’s mother would be facing criminal charges.
10/16/19 Update: Will be charged as adult. Will remain in the juvenile detention facility by court order. Next Appearance date on 11/6. 10/22/19: Appointed attorney ad litem for minor child. 11/6/19: Next pretrial hearing on 12/3 defendant’s appearance waived.

 

[Niner]

31 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 JUDGE BORELLO, MARK

32 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 ASST. STATE ATTY. COOPER, JOEL C JR

33 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 ATTY. FOR DEF. SOPP, TERESA JO

34 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 DEFENDANT NOT PRESENT

35 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 DEFENDANT APPEARANCE WAIVED

36 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 OTHERS PRESENT: MOTHER PRESENT

37 -- 12/3/2019
12/3/2019 PRETRIAL 12/17/2019 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

12/3/2019 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

12/17/2019 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[Filly]

Nada. He sits.

 

[Niner]

38 -- 12/16/2019
12/16/2019 CANCELLED PRETRIAL ON 12/17/2019 9:00:00 AM

39 -- 12/16/2019
12/16/2019 > CANCEL REASON -
40 -- 12/16/2019

12/16/2019 PRETRIAL 01/07/2020 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 7th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL – 3 year old girl (Aug. 16, 2019, Jacksonville) – *Johnathan Jerome Godwin (14) arrested (10/14/19), charged (10/10/19) & arraigned (10/16/19) with 2nd degree felony murder & felony aggravated child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held in juvenile detention facility by court order.
Accused of repeatedly hitting the girl in her chest, back, legs and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to get her to stop crying. He was babysitting her & 2 other kids. Had a history of abusing & burning another small child. Cops said he admitted to the abuse and also confessed to being involved in the little girl’s death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office could not immediately comment on whether Godwin’s mother would be facing criminal charges.
10/16/19 Update: Will be charged as adult. Will remain in the juvenile detention facility by court order. Next Appearance date on 11/6. 10/22/19: Appointed attorney ad litem for minor child. 11/6/19: Next pretrial hearing on 12/3 defendant’s appearance waived. 12/3/19: Defendant’s appearance waived. Next pretrial hearing on 12/17. 12/16/19 Update: Pretrial hearing has been rescheduled for 1/7/20.

 

[Niner]

Docket:
42 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 JUDGE BORELLO, MARK

43 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 ASST. STATE ATTY. COOPER, JOEL C JR

44 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 ATTY. FOR DEF. SOPP, TERESA JO

45 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 DEFENDANT NOT PRESENT

46 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 DEFENDANT APPEARANCE WAIVED

47 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 OTHERS PRESENT: BUDDY SCHULTZ - GUARDIAN AD-LITEM

48
D48 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 ORDER FOR COMPETENCY EXAMINATION - ENTERED 2

49 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 PRETRIAL 01/21/2020 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

50 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 DR. REPORT

51
D51 -- 1/7/2020
1/7/2020 STATE'S FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY EXHIBIT 1

52
D52 -- 1/7/2020
1/8/2020 SUGGESTION OF MENTAL INCOMPETENCE TO PROCEED


Hearings:
1/7/2020 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

1/21/2020 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 21st:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL – 3 year old girl (Aug. 16, 2019, Jacksonville) – *Johnathan Jerome Godwin (14) arrested (10/14/19), charged (10/10/19) & arraigned (10/16/19) with 2nd degree felony murder & felony aggravated child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held in juvenile detention facility by court order.
Accused of repeatedly hitting the girl in her chest, back, legs and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to get her to stop crying. He was babysitting her & 2 other kids. Had a history of abusing & burning another small child. Cops said he admitted to the abuse and also confessed to being involved in the little girl’s death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office could not immediately comment on whether Godwin’s mother would be facing criminal charges.
10/16/19 Update: Will be charged as adult. Will remain in the juvenile detention facility by court order. Next Appearance date on 11/6. 10/22/19: Appointed attorney ad litem for minor child. 11/6/19: Next pretrial hearing on 12/3 defendant’s appearance waived. 12/3/19: Defendant’s appearance waived. Next pretrial hearing on 12/17. 12/16/19 Update: Pretrial hearing has been rescheduled for 1/7/20.
1/7/20 Update: Defendant waived appearance. GAL present. Order for Competency Exam entered. Order for competency exam-granted. 1/9/20: Confidential forensic evaluation is sealed. Next pretrial hearing on 1/21.

 

[Niner]

Docket:
56 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 JUDGE BORELLO, MARK
57 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 ASST. STATE ATTY. COOPER, JOEL C JR
58 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 ATTY. FOR DEF. SOPP, TERESA JO
59 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 DEFENDANT NOT PRESENT
60 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 DEFENDANT APPEARANCE WAIVED
61 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 OTHERS PRESENT: MOTHER -KIMBERLY DRAYTON
62 -- 1/21/2020
1/21/2020 PRETRIAL 01/28/2020 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202


Hearings:
1/21/2020 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

1/28/2020 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 28th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL – 3 year old girl (Aug. 16, 2019, Jacksonville) – *Johnathan Jerome Godwin (14) arrested (10/14/19), charged (10/10/19) & arraigned (10/16/19) with 2nd degree felony murder & felony aggravated child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held in juvenile detention facility by court order.
Accused of repeatedly hitting the girl in her chest, back, legs and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to get her to stop crying. He was babysitting her & 2 other kids. Had a history of abusing & burning another small child. Cops said he admitted to the abuse and also confessed to being involved in the little girl’s death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office could not immediately comment on whether Godwin’s mother would be facing criminal charges.
10/16/19 Update: Will be charged as adult. Will remain in the juvenile detention facility by court order. Next Appearance date on 11/6. 10/22/19: Appointed attorney ad litem for minor child. 11/6/19: Next pretrial hearing on 12/3 defendant’s appearance waived. 12/3/19: Defendant’s appearance waived. Next pretrial hearing on 12/17. 12/16/19 Update: Pretrial hearing has been rescheduled for 1/7/20.
1/7/20 Update: Defendant waived appearance. GAL present. Order for Competency Exam entered. Order for competency exam-granted. 1/9/20: Confidential forensic evaluation is sealed. Next pretrial hearing on 1/21. 1/21/20: Next pretrial hearing on 1/28/20.

 

[cobalt sky]

What a tragic case all the way around. Something I'm wondering, from the articles linked, it's not clear whether JG himself was the planned babysitter, or if the children had been left in the care of JG's mother, who then left the children alone with JG at some point. And left him alone with them for "several hours". JG's mother had to have known about his history of abuse on other children, so why would she leave him alone with 3 children by himself?

Also, it says that the police were called to "a business", and the injured child was then transported to a hospital. Does anyone know anything more about the "business"?

IMO

 

[Niner]

Docket:
64 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 JUDGE BORELLO, MARK

65 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 ASST. STATE ATTY. COOPER, JOEL C JR

66 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 ATTY. FOR DEF. SOPP, TERESA JO

67 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 DEFENDANT NOT PRESENT

68 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 OTHERS PRESENT: MOTHER PRESENT

69 -- 1/28/2020
1/28/2020 DISPOSITION 02/26/2020 9:00 AM - 306 3RD FLOOR, 501 W ADAMS ST JACKSONVILLE FL 32202

Hearing:
1/28/2020 9:00 AM PRETRIAL 3rd Floor 306

2/26/2020 9:00 AM DISPOSITION 3rd Floor 306

link: CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal